In a deal that could earn the Cambridge, Mass.-based pharmaceutical company over $1.03 billion, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals (NSDQ:MACK) said yesterday that it is selling its liposome injection cancer drugs, Onivyde and generic Doxil, to Ipsen (EPA:IPN). Merrimack is also slashing its employee headcount down to just 80 people, after laying off 22% of its 400 employees […]
Mergers & Acquisitions
Actelion gains on Sanofi deal rumors
Actelion (VTX:ATLN) shares jumped more than 8% to 214 Swiss francs after reports that Sanofi (NYSE:SNY) and the Swiss biotech are nearing a takeover deal that would value Actelion at $29.6 billion. After Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) abandoned its efforts to reach an agreement with Actelion this week, Sanofi stepped in to pursue negotiations. Sanofi is expected to offer […]
SMC acquires UK auto-injector developer Oval Medical Technologies
SMC Ltd., said today that it acquired auto-injector developer Oval Medical Technologies for an undisclosed amount. Cambridge, UK-based Oval Medical Technologies develops auto-injectors for a 2-step administration of non-viscous and viscous drugs using cyclic olefin plastic and glass primary drug containers. Somerset, Wisconsin-based SMC is a global contract manufacturer of single-use devices for pharmaceutical, medical […]
Baxter to put up $625m for Claris Injectables generics biz
Baxter (NYSE:BAX) said today that acquired Claris Lifesciences (BOM:533288) subsidiary Claris Injectables for $625 million. The deal is expected to close in the 2nd half of next year. Deerfield, Ill.-based Baxter said it plans to pay for the acquisition with cash on hand, debt or a combination. Baxter anticipates launching 7 to 9 new products […]
Actelion, Sanofi in talks after J&J backs out of negotiations
Actelion (VTX:ATLN) and Sanofi (NYSE:SNY) are reportedly in talks to reach a takeover deal after Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) said yesterday that it has closed negotiations with the Swiss biotech. J&J and Actelion have been in informal talks for nearly 2 months and the US company has made an offer valued at 250 Swiss francs per share. J&J said yesterday […]
Tax holiday could ignite more pharma M&A
(Reuters) – U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to incentivize U.S. companies to repatriate their swelling overseas cash piles could spur a new wave of dealmaking in a pharmaceutical industry seeking to buy its way into growth. For years, big U.S. drugmakers have turned to acquisitions of foreign companies to put their overseas cash to work, […]
Sanofi throws hat in the ring with J&J’s in Actelion pursuit
Sanofi (NYSE:SNY) is reportedly considering a bid for Actelion Pharmaceuticals (VTX:ATLN), competing with an offer made to the Swiss biotech by Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ). Bloomberg reported that Sanofi is working with advisers to assess its options and has made its interest known informally to Actelion. The French drugmaker has not made a formal comment on the matter […]
Hedge funds betting on J&J after Actelion remains silent on takeover bid
Despite reports this week that Actelion Pharmaceuticals (VTX:ATLN) rejected Johnson & Johson‘s (NYSE:JNJ) 2nd takeover bid, hedge funds are piling into the Swiss biotech firm, encouraged by Actelion’s silence on the matter. The 2 companies have been engaged in informal talks for 2 months, according to Reuters, and the latest offer was pegged at 250 Swiss francs per share. […]
Actelion rejects J&J’s takeover offer
Swiss biotech firm Actelion Pharmaceuticals (VTX:ATLN) reportedly rejected Johnson & Johnson‘s (NYSE:JNJ) 2nd takeover offer, sending it shares down -6% in afternoon trading yesterday. The 2 companies have been engaged in informal talks for 2 months, according to Reuters, and the latest offer was pegged at 250 Swiss francs per share. J&J’s $270 billion bid for Actelion tempted shareholders, […]
Report: J&J raises the stakes in Actelion pursuit
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) has reportedly raised its offer for Swiss biotech firm Actelion Pharmaceuticals (VTX:ATLN), pressuring the company to accept a takeover deal. The companies have been in talks for nearly 2 months but so far have not reached a deal, according to Reuters. The news outlet reported that Actelion wants J&J to become a major shareholder […]
